By Tyler Lewis
A stylish century from Devon Meadows opener Lucas Ligt wasn’t enough to guide the Panthers into a grand final bout with rivals Officer.
The Panthers won the toss and opted to set, and despite no one going with him, Ligt’s 100 not out from just 114 rocks steered the home side to an impressive 6/191.
Ligt’s knock included 10 fours and one maximum.
Kyle Salermo looked ominous for his 29 from 48 balls, before a fired up Scott Pitcher (1/24 off five) knocked him over.
Panther’s number-five Connor Harmor was the next highest score with 34 from 38 deliveries.
The Maroons tried eight bowlers, with Daniel Brennan (2/28 from eight) capturing the two crucial wickets of Jakeb McVicar and Trent Delaney.
Brennan then got off to a fast-start with the blade, moving to 13 from 12 balls, with three boundaries, before he was sent packing by Jamie Cape.
When the set Will Haines (43 from 40) was castled by Ligt, and the dangerous Taylor Joyce was run out without facing a ball, the Panthers threatened to run away with the match.
But it was the steady hands of Tom Taylor (29 from 53), Corey Joyce (46 from 66) and Jordan Andrews (37 from 44) that steered the Maroons to victory.
Though there was a slight shake in the batting order after the loss of two wickets for no score with just seven runs to win, the Maroons secured victory with three wickets in hand and 16 balls to spare.
Despite Upper Beaconsfield not having a player reach 50, and the Panthers have Ligt score an unbeaten century, the Maroons had five players reach double-figures, as opposed to the Devon Meadows’ four.
Ligt was amongst the action again in the second dig, with 2/39 off eight, while Riley Worsteling claimed 2/29 off 5.2.
The loss for the Panthers is the second tight preliminary final defeat in as many seasons.
The win for the Maroons sets up a mouth-watering grand final with Officer this weekend.
The Bullants and the Maroons faced off twice this year, with the Bullants winning both times.
In the most recent clash – the final round of the year – the Bullants rolled the Upper Beaconsfield side for 133 in the final over, before chasing the required target inside 35 overs with six wickets in hand.
The silverware looms to be one won and lost with the ball.
During the home and away season, the Maroons took the fourth most wickets across the District competition, but conceded only 23 more runs than leaders Officer.
The two sides had a similar season with the bat, with the Bullants notching 2010 runs for the loss of 84 wickets, while the Maroons scored 2025 for the loss of 90 batters.
While the Bullants came into the finals tasting defeat just three times, the Maroons finished in fourth, interestingly behind the ledger, with a 6-7 win loss record.
However, the Maroons are ahead of the ledger after their two enormous finals wins, and home and away season form means very little come crunch time this Saturday.
A win for Upper Beaconsfield results in Premier redemption, after being relegated just last summer.
While for Officer, a win will fittingly send the Ants back into the top flight after its relegation precisely 10 seasons ago.
GRAND FINAL
Officer v Upper Beaconsfield – Officer Recreation Reserve 1 – 1pm
